Residents in Houston, Texas and the Gulf region are still reeling from the disastrous effects of Hurricane Harvey, which dumped more than 50 inches in some areas this week, displacing thousands, and causing untold loss of life. Although some were able to avoid the flooding to whatever extent they could by evacuating and uprooting their lives, communities near the Houston Ship Channel are facing a different problem: a barrage of possible hazardous pollution stemming from the response of refineries and chemical plants that have shut down operations. When refineries and chemical plants are shut down or are in the process of shutting down, they often release thousands of tons of air pollution that can lead to premature death, according to a 2012 report from the Environmental Integrity Project. By Tuesday, some 13 refineries had shut down operations including seven in Houston/G...